The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1887-09-09

NOS Dc IonS DtIOre he nnQS the one
woman in all the world. ,"
Philip came home one day to find an
unexpected guest within the lospitable
doors, 1t was Professor Mills, a most
agreeable companion in the Rhineland
journeyings He had remained in Ger
many to study, and the memory of
desolated home had prolonged his stay
At length an intense yearning for his ma
tive land had brought him back, and a
strong desire to meet Mrs Witherden
once more had led his feet to Morrisville
The three met most cordially, and went
merrily over again those foreign ways
that good comradeship had rendered
doubly pleasant
Professor Mills had announced that he
was on his way to Chicago, but he seemed
in no haste to continue his pilgrimage.
Suddenly Philips eyes We're opened as
by fash of lightning out of clear skies.
He was sitting at his desk when the
double revelation came A strange agi-
tation possessed him. He stumbled to
his feet and paced the floor in unsteady
haste His thoughts were in wild tumult,
driven hither and thither like snow on
winter winds. Through it all the shad-
owy presence slowly and clearly revealed
its face Then he sank into his chair,
and bowing his head groaned aloud.
Gradually his thoughts assumed definite
shape and connection.
He was her son, her love for him was a
mothers love, she could never make it
anything else. He was fifteen years
younger than she. Professor Mlls-ah .
yes, it was quite suitable, quite natu-
raj.
AS if all this We're not enough, Prof
fessor Mills had added his part to the
unhappy disturbance. He had journeyed
to Morrisvslle with one object in view ;
but he owned, at the end of week, that
it seemed no nearer of attainment. Mrs.
Witherden was bright and cordial,
friendly, with a simplicity and gracious
ness perfectly transparent, and as charm
ingly open and unsuspicious as she had
always been. 1t was plain that he must
make an opportunity to declare himself
none would be given him.
Late in the afternoon, Philip, stand
ING at his window, saw Professor Mills
walk down the driveway. 1t was
strange-to go away just at the dinner
hour. Did his mother wish to save him
/ pain2- mother'
She was at his door, tapping in the
gentle way he knew so well. He let her
in. She went straight to his lounging
chair, and sitting down held out her
hand to him. 1t was always her way
when she had something important to
tell him. He dropped on the floor be-
side her. as he had often done before,
resting one elbow on the arm of the
chair, and his chin on his hand
''Philip, she said, with sorrow in her
tone, II have made poor, dear Professor
Mills very unhappy. He asked me to be
his wife, and could not say yes.
They remained in silence moment,
and then Philip broke it,
I'm very sorry for Professor Mills,
but Pm glad"-he checked himself. She
hastened to complete the sentence.
That want only my big, tall boy"
He looked up She thought he had
never been more like an own son than
now, and he read the thought in her un-
conscious mother-eyes.
In the days that followed, if she had
been less occupied she could not have
failed to notice an unusual gravity that
often possessed her son, an indefnable
something that pervaded his air toward
her Philip was very busy in his office
and away at court for a week. What his
mother did discern-she never was. so oc-
cupied as to fail in watchful sympathy
she attributed to fatigue.
One Sabbath afternoon they were pro
menading up and down the long parlOrs
and through the hall and library. Out
side, the rain fell in torrents. 1t was
their first quiet day together since Pro
fessor Mills went away. Philip had been
narrating a peculiarly sad incident con-
nected with a recent law suit, and for
some minutes neither had spoken. As
they paced slowly through the parlors,
Phillip watched their reflection in the
mirror between the windows. When
they reached the end of the room in
stead of turning again he halted. His
mother looked up and met his eyes III
the glass. A playful reproof for his
vanity sprang to her lips but he spoke
before she could frame the words.
"What an old fellow | am, and how
Young YOU look =" He was about to add,
what was quite true, that stranger
would never dream of the difference in
their ages. when her laughing answer
was in his ear.
81 ought to be very elderly with sucf
venerable son. | did begin once tC
grow old in sober earnest, but certain
little boy beguiled me the other way.
think he will always keep me untouched
with any shade of years
Philips secret was perilously near ex
posurc. AS the days went on, it KEEP
watch with him through wakeful hour